- Songkran News
Princess celebrates Songkran at Laos mission in Bangkok
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously attended a Songkran ceremony at the Lao Embassy in Bangkok yesterday. The Princess, who visits the Lao mission on Songkran every year, participated in the ceremonial tying of white thread on people’s wrists for good luck, and watched a performance of traditional Thai dance. Thailand and Laos mark the traditional New Year…
- South Thailand News
Police officer and wanted insurgent shot in Songkhla clash
One policeman has been injured along with an alleged insurgent when troops and southern insurgents clashed in Songkhla’s Sabayoi district today. The exchange of gunfire happened at 10:30am this morning when troops and police reportedly searched for suspects in Ban Long Khuan village in Tambon Khuha. The team received a tipoff that December 26’s Khuan Niang district bombing suspects might…
- Songkran News
Dutch tourist becomes first fatality of ‘Seven Dangerous Days’
A Dutch tourist is the first official Songkran fatality when his car hit the rear of a trailer truck in Kanchanaburi, in Thailand’s far west, early today. Officials say Roi Fanh Veeland (not official spelling) was the first casualty of Kanchanaburi’s “Seven Dangerous Days” Songkran road reporting period. Police say the accident happened at an intersection on the Tha Muang-Kanchanaburi…
- Bangkok News
UPDATE: 2 confirmed dead, 20 injured in Central World Bangkok fire
The Erawan Medical Centre has confirmed that two people were killed and another 20 injured in last evening’s fire at Centara Grand Hotel and CentralWorld Shopping Centre at Bangkok’s Ratchaprasong Intersection. One person was found dead at the scene (a staff member who jumped out of a fourth storey window), whilst the other fatality, identified as 50 year old Arthit…
- Thailand Election News
US Embassy responds to Don’s rebuke over Thanathorn case
PHOTO: The Nation The Thai Foreign Minister yesterday formerly summoned foreign diplomats yesterday afternoon, one by one, in a diplomatic dressing down about their appearance at a police station last Saturday morning. The official ministry memo objected to the presence of envoys at the Pathumwan Police Station on Saturday when the Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit reported in to…
- Hot News
Three people reported dead, others injured, 100s flee blaze at Central World Hotel Bangkok
PHOTO: Orchidmo A big fire has broken out on Ratchadamri Road, Pathumwan in the busy Sukhumvit shopping zone in Bangkok. Videos and photos posted online show the blaze and thick smoke spreading from the Centara Grand Hotel, located next to the CentralWorld shopping mall. The Bangkok governor has reported that the death toll of the blaze is three people. One…
- Thailand Election News
Deputy police chief denies foreign diplomats present at Thanathorn interrogation
The deputy national police commissioner is denying that a group of foreign diplomats were present at a questioning session when the Future Forward party leader reported to Bangkok police on Saturday morning over sedition charges. Pol General Srivara Rangsibhramanakul said the diplomats were invited to a briefing after the interrogation of Thanathorn Jungrungruengkit at Pathum Wan police station. The Future…
- Krabi News
Two young men killed in Krabi hit-and-run
Police in Krabi are hunting for the driver of a pickup truck whose vehicle hit and killed two young boys riding a motorcycle. He failed to stop and drove away.The boys, 14 and 12 years old, who have not been officially identified, were killed just after midnight on Sai Khao-Klong Thom Road in the village of Ban Klong Raed, Klong…
- Hot News
Re-enacment of Koh Si Chang rape and murder case
A 24 year old Thai, charged over the rape and murder of a 27 year old female German backpacker on Chon Buri’s Koh Si Chang on Sunday, has re-enacted the horrific crime that has shaken public morale on the popular island. Koh Si Chang injuste north-west of Pattaya in the Gulf of Thailand. Ronnakorn Romruen, a resident of the Moo…
- Thailand Weather Updates
Situation critical for Phuket’s water supply
Phuket has an acute water shortage. But there has been no warnings or even suggestions of restrictions from the Phuket Water Authority. Instead residents are heading to the local media to vent their frustration. On February 6 the PWA foreshadowed odd/even day water restrictions for some residential areas of the island, only to rescind the action the next day saying…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya ladyboys nabbed for stealing credit cards from South Korean tourist
A pair of ladyboys have been nabbed for allegedly stealing a wallet with three credit cards from a South Korean tourist in Pattaya. The two suspects were identified as 33 year old Sawarin Silaket and 35 year old Onkaew Homdok . Pattaya police chief Pol Colonel Prawit Chorseng said the arrest was made after 44 year old Hojun Cho filed…
- Thailand News
One killed, another injured after train slams into upside-down van in Ayutthaya
PHOTO: Matichon Online One man is dead and another severely injured after their van hit a road barrier and flipped onto railway tracks before being hit by a train in Ayutthaya, just north of Bangkok, early today. The Ayutthaya police station was alerted of the accident at the u-turn under the Ban Ma flyover on the Asia highway’s frontage in…
- Environment News
Hunters injured in Chiang Mai national park shoot-out
Two ethnic Lahu hunters have been injured in a clash with Sri Lanna National Park officials in Chiang Mai over the weekend. The Lahu are one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognised by the People’s Republic of China, where about 720,000 live in Yunnan province, mostly in Lancang Lahu Autonomous County. In Thailand, the Lahu are one of the…
- Northern Thailand News
Tourism dries up for Songkran in north this year
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) says tourism levels during the Songkran break will be down by 10%, partly due to the northern haze problems. Chiang Mai is one of the country’s most popular Songkran festival locations. Meanwhile, the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) says the strong baht is encouraging Thais to travel overseas during this year’s Songkran festival. TAT…
- Bangkok News
Surachate has nothing to say to media in his first public appearance
Former Immigration Bureau chief Surachate Hakparn, and confidant of Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan, said nothing yesterday about his abrupt transfer to an inactive post at the RTP HQ in Bangkok. In his first public appearance following the transfer order from the national police chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda back to ‘inactive duties”, Surachate reported to work at the Royal Thai Police…
- Bangkok News
Surachate reports to the Royal Thai Police HQ
…but there was nothing to say from the man that’s had a lot to say in the past. Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, you know, the guy who’s been in our news almost every day for the past year, has reported to the RTP HQ today, but soon after was seen leaving the building. No talking to the media today, strange…
- Pattaya News
24 year old confesses to the rape and murder of German tourist on Koh Si Chang
A 24 year old Thai man has now been formally charged over the rape and murder of a German woman on Koh Si Chang. Police on the Chon Buri island, north west of Pattaya, claim Ronnakorn Romruen, a resident of the island village of Moo 2, confessed to killing the German tourist after raping her to prevent her reporting the…
- Hot News
Surachate Hakparn “transferred”? No joke.
Various media are reporting that immigration chief and “Batman” of the Thai police Lt -Gen Surachate Hakparn has been transferred to RTP headquarters. Sanook reports there are no official written confirmation of the news under their headline “Lightning Transfer”. Thai media report say he had been transferred “until further notice”, according to Sanook. Surachate’s Facebook page and the Thai Immigration Facebook…
- Northern Thailand News
Smoke haze hits northern Songkran hotel bookings
By Sakaorat Sirima, Nattawat Laping The Northern smog crisis is taking its toll on the popular tourist region, with officials admitting a significant drop seen in hotel-room bookings, even in Chiang Mai, which is otherwise hugely popular as a destination for Songkran celebrations. “Thai tourists are worried that the haze will harm their health,” La-iad Boonsrithong, the president of the…
- Bangkok News
Six arrested for drug use after raid on illegal Bangkok pub
Six customers have been arrested in a raid early today after troops and police, led by the Internal Security Operations Command, raided a Bangkok pub. The 2.30am raid on the New Jazz 2 pub in the Bangkok Noi district was made following complaints that it violated closing hour law and disturbed the neighbourhood. The six customers were arrested on drug charges.…
- Northern Thailand News
Baby elephant rescued from unused drain in far north-east Thailand
A baby elephant has been rescued from an unused drain in Bueng Kan’s Boongkla district in far north east Thailand this morning. Local villagers of Ban None Phaisarn in Tambon Khokkwang contacted officials of the Phu Wang Wildlife Sanctuary after they found the baby elephant trapped in the 2 metre deep well in a rubber plantation. About 20 officials and villagers…
- Songkran News
No foam parties for Songkran
by Suriya Patathayo, Jessada Chantharak Songkran foam parties are being banned this year in the interest of public safety. The announcement today from the national police deputy commissioner Pol General Chalermkiat Srivorakan.Chalermkiat says there had been several deaths and injuries by electrocution at foam parties during previous Songkran festivals. Police have also been instructed to provide security at Songkran celebration…
- World News
ASEAN launches $1 billion investment for green projects
South East Asian governments, the Asian Development Bank and major development financiers have launched a new US$1 billion (32 billion baht) initiative to spur green infrastructure investments across the region. The launch ceremony was witnessed by Thailand’s Minister of Finance Apisak Tantivorawong and ADB President Takehiko Nakao. Senior officials from ASEAN and private sector partners also joined the ceremony. ADB…
- Northern Thailand News
Cave rescue doctors reveal the drugs used to sedate the Mu Pa football team
The Australian medical consultants involved in the rescue of the 13 Mu Pa (Wild Boar) football team players from the Tham Luang Caves last year say that the evacuees were anesthetised with Ketamine before being swum and carried to safety. Richard Harris, the South Australian anaesthetist and cave diver who led the medical part of the rescue operation, and his…
- Northern Thailand News
Police intercept 9 million methamphetamine pills near Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai police have foiled an attempt to smuggle nine million methamphetamine pills in Wiang Pa Pao district this morning. Police found the drugs when they intercepted and searched a car on the Chiang Rai-Chiang Mai road in Ban Tala village in Tambon Sanslaee. Police declined to give details of the arrested suspects, saying they need to conduct further investigations…
- Thailand Election News
Recounts and new elections ordered in eight polling stations
PHOTOS: The Nation The Election Commission has decided that two polling stations should recount their ballots while six others should re-hold the election due to discrepancies in the number of ballots in those booths. The two polling stations that have been ordered to re-count the ballots were in Nam Pong District in Khon Kaen province. The poll results they provided…
- Northern Thailand News
74 year old Swede found dead in his Udon Thani home
PHOTO: khaosod.com A 74 year old Swedish man was found dead in his Udon Thani home yesterday. He is believed to have died about a week ago. Police say there are no suspicious circumstances. His body was sent for an autopsy at the Udon Thani Hospital. A neighbour called police at 6.45pm last night to check the house in Moo 1…
- Bangkok News
Bogus policeman arrested for extorting Bangkok lottery sellers
FILE PHOTO A man has been arrested for allegedly disguising himself as a policeman to extort money and lottery tickets from at least two lottery ticket vendors who sold overpriced tickets in Bangkok. 40 year old Poramin Sartsomboon has been arrested over the matter. Police say Poramin was arrested on Sunday after parking his car in front of Thepsirin Temple,…
- Business News
Forecasts for Thai export growth revised upwards
The meeting of the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking has revised upwards its forecast of export growth in 2019 to between 6.5 – 7.5% from the previous forecast of between 3.5 – 4.5%. The revision is in line with export growth in the past eight months, the committee said. Growth momentum is expected to continue during the…
- Thailand Election News
Army chief steps into the political fray again
PHOTO: Army chief General Apirat Kongsompong against a snappy hot pink backdrop by Supalak Ganjanakhundee Army chief General Apirat Kongsompong’s provocative comments against foreign-educated politicians with ‘leftist leanings’ and activists is a threat to democracy, and could lead to social unrest, violence and even collapse of the regime… warnings from prominent Thai scholars and rights defenders yesterday. The comments follow…
